Random Ramblings X: The Friendly Neighborhood Jew’s Farewell

By Robbie Pleasant

Well, dear readers, this is it. This is the last Random Ramblings From Your Friendly Neighborhood Jew that I’ll write. It’s amazing how what started out in my first issue as a quick way to fill my article quota turned into an editorial that I enjoyed writing every quarter, and to those of you who were along for the ride, I hope you enjoyed it too.

When I started writing for Leviathan, I was a sad, scared Freshman, tired of being a shut-in and desperate for any kind of human interaction. Eager to make a good first impression on the staff, all of whom were experienced and familiar with each other, I wrote my first article, detailing the Jewish cartoon characters and references to Judaism in animated media. I probably spent more time on that than I did on most of my essays for classes, but it was well worth it. From then on, I had my place in the Leviathan staff.

Now here I am, the staff writer with enough seniority over my colleagues to act like a grouchy old man, and about to make my curtain call, like so many others have done before me. I’ve seen Leviathan change hands between many chief editors, and watched its direction shift between themes and ideas like an indecisive compass, but it’s always remained a friendly environment where people can write about issues or subjects that appeal to them. I hope that it will remain that way once I’m gone, and I’m sure that it will. It’s been quite a ride, but everything has a beginning and an end, and the end of my reign as your friendly neighborhood Jew is near. To those of you whove read my ramblings over these past few years, I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have.

My time at UC Santa Cruz has had its ups and downs. The ups were pretty good, and the downs were downright depressingly bad, but life has a way of working out eventually, sometimes with a little hard work, and sometimes with a good amount of luck. You have the chance to pursue your interests, so make the best of it, whether you like the arts, the outdoors, or just geeking out like me. I may not have been too involved with the supposed “college life” here, but I still used my time to do what I enjoy. You have the chance to do that too, don’t let it pass you by. If you are like I once was, new and alone in an unfamiliar place, know that there’s always a way to make things better, I’m proof of that. Once you find your place and find yourself, you can also find happiness.

So that’s it. That’s all I have left to say. The torch of the Friendly Neighborhood Jew is ready to be passed. Thank you, my readers, for sticking with me until the end. I’m ready to take my bow and exit the stage.

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Wait a second, I almost forgot! What’s up with TV shows still using the nerd stereotype? Haven’t we gotten past that point? We’ve finally reclaimed the words “nerd” and “geek,” why hasn’t television caught up?

Amberly Young

Published on page 66 of the Spring 2011 issue of Leviathan.

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